Sooooooooo, its Wednesday and that means Father Geek is here with Scott Green to bring you all a new, packed to the gills edition of The AICN Anime Report, a column filled to the brim with all the Anime/Manga related info you could possibily use; Gaming, Cards, Toys, Videos, DVDs, Comics, Theatrical Releases and more ALL in one convinent mid-week column. But before I turn you over to Scott let's see what ol' Father Geek has for you here on our Austin Geek Headquarters Compound's bank of over heated PCs...
20th Century FOX announced the acquisition of feature film rights to the "DragonBall" property, and is planning for its studio division, FOX 2000, to develop a live action movie based on the property.
FOX plans to place this movie on a fast-track production schedule, and may have a movie released as early as Fall 2003 or Summer 2004. FOX feel that this project will not end with one movie, but will become a major, multi-picture franchise like Star Wars.
It will also be very interesting for all Dragon Ball Z fans to try to predict the names of the stars, the director and producers, and the storyline that will be used.
FUNimation plans for its web site, www.dragonballz,com, to be the focal point of information on the production of the movie and all the fan events leading up to it.
First poll :
Which actor(s) would you like to see play Goku ?
Just Click Here Now
Then Father Geek has this bit of sad Animation News for you...
Hey Boss-Geek
JM here, very sad to report that Bill Peet, Walt Disney's greatest storyman, passed away Saturday May 11th after a series of illnesses at age 87.
Peet (sometimes credited as Peed) joined Disney in 1937 as an apprentice animator on SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS. He went onto become the studio's most respected animation writer/storyman, contributing to such features as DUMBO, FANTASIA, THE THREE CABALLEROS, and perhaps most famously, the three Br'er Rabbit segments of SONG OF THE SOUTH.
He would later singlehandedly script and storyboard 101 DALMATIONS, but resigned from the studio in 1964 after a bitter disagreement with Walt over the story direction of THE JUNGLE BOOK.
Bill's exit from Disney started him on the second (and no doubt most personally satisfying) phase of his career, as one of the world's best-known and widely read children's book authors. In a forty year career as a writer and illustrator, Peet created such children's classics as CHESTER THE WORLDLY PIG, CYRUS THE UNSINKABLE SEA SERPENT, FAREWELL TO SHADY GLADE and dozens of others. Though he never confirmed or denied it, Peet's mid-sixties book RANDY'S DANDY LIONS, the tale of timid circus lions forced to work under a domaneering boss, was interpreted by many animation fans as a comment on Peet's years at Disney.
His 1989 illustrated autobiography paints shrewd portraits of Peet's personal and professional lives, including his sometimes volitile relationship with Walt Disney. It's funny, wistful and heartfelt, very much in keeping with the best elements of Peet's storytelling.
Junior Mintz
Thanks Junior! We would probably have missed that... Now, here's Scott and the regular column...
Devil Hunter Yokho: The Complete Collection volume 1
Released by ADV Films
First three episodes of Devil Hunter Yohko are being released by ADV Films on DVD to mark their tenth anniversary. Devil Hunter Yohko was the first release by a group of fans who created one of the most long-lived, prolific and successfully anime domestic companies. Devil Hunter Yohko helped to establish the appeal of anime as animation that is aimed a more mature audience, very different from what is typically seen, and it helped establish the stereotypical view of anime, large chested girls with thin bodies and saucer eyes, violence and nudity.
The tag line on the DVD's front cover describes the series with "Ghosts and Demons Beware!: The Original Slayer is back!", and superficially, the series is very much like a anime Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Its a horror/action/comedy about a the latest in a line of women monster slayers. Even the protagonist's circle of school friends marginally resembles Buffy's.
Yohko Mano is the 108th Devil Hunter, which means she gets a rings that allows her undergo a transformation scene into a red Chinese style devil hunting about outfit, and defy physics in anime heroine style. Yohko lives with mother and grandmother, who fight with each other using baseball bats, pick-axes and other implements of destruction. Yohko's mother failed to become a Devil Hunter because she violated the rule that one must be a virgin when the need first arises to change into the Devil Hunter. Yohko's feisty grandmother determined to make sure Yohko doesn't make the same mistake
The two DVD set features the two versions of the first episode, the English dub was recorded for a version that was not dubbed in Japanese with places more emphasis of the humorous aspect of the series. In honor of ADV's anniversary the first disc features a commentary track by a number of the company's founders.
It's a good history of the company and the early days of the of the American anime industry, a good lesson for those who don't know it, and an interesting details for those who do.
Besides the packaging, and the commentary track, the release's chief appeal is nostalgia. Most of its novelty has worn off over the years. There are a number of very humorous scenes in the series, particularly with Yohko's mother and grandmother. Nothing beats bickering anime characters, or an old ninja-esque woman, but, if you watch much anime, you've probably seen better. The first episode is low-grade tentacle porn with brief nudity replacing sex. The second and third episodes are rather standard horror and fantasy fair respectively, and both lacking the elder women of the Mano clan.
If you have seen and enjoyed the series already, it is a great package and worth upgrading to DVD. If you are interested in the history of the anime business, checking out commentary track is a must. Otherwise, there a number of action/horror/comedies more manic and enjoyable than Devil Hunter Yohko.
I'm Gonna Be An Angel (Tenshi Ni Namuroni): volume 1
Earth Angel
Released by Synch-Point
I'm Gonna Be An Angel tops the pyramid of visual cotton candy anime, fleeting and insubstantial, but highly enjoyable and addiction. I'm Gonna Be An Angel is a rare example of an enjoyable, pastel-dominated anime. It ignores the fact that it is a saccharine, pink series, and throws out all restraint. It's more about rampaging inflatable rubber professional wrestlers, or swimming pools full of duck-turtle kappa monsters than story or emotion. Each episode surpasses the previous one with some new insanity.
Yuuske's short brief life a lone began when he his parent left him to go abroad on business, but ended when he followed a path of pink clothes on his way to school, landed on top of a naked girl (it's a family show, nothing explicit), with a halo. The girl turns out to be Noelle, a pink clad, jello cheeked girl, with a one track mind that is usually focused on being gratingly gleeful. She proclaims that they are now married, and when Yuuske returns home, he finds that her family has moved from the demon world into his house.
Her family consists central casting's typical monsters, her father is Frankenstein's monster, her older brother is a vampire, older sister is invisible, her younger sister is a mad tinkerer, and her grandmother is a vulture accompanied hag. It is rare stable two parent anime family, but aside from a few personality quirks, Noelle's mother is a non-descript elf eared thing, it's hard to pin down what sort of monster she is supposed to be.
Their arrival is greeted by an attack from a giant pirate-faced rice-cooker, the first volley in an attempted to Noevelle, a mopey effeminate guy named Dispel. The attacks, which are usually commanded by a catgirl, get increasingly odd, employing such tactics as a trio of attack restaurants that combine to form a giant robot.
It is the stereotypes of anime magnified nearly to the breaking point; one step before self parody, with hair in colors that that may or may not be in a jumbo crayon box, translucent bangs, and enormous eyes. While the character design looks to be heavily influenced by CLAMP among others, it had its old thick lined boldness and flair.
If you enjoy strange situational humor anime, I'm Gonna Be an Angel is well worth trying.
Mobile Suit Gundam 0080:War in the Pocket
Volume 2
Released by Bandai
Volume 2 concludes the six episode "War in the Pocket" OAV series, which as the tightest story, and most biting tragedy of the entries in the sci-fi war epic that have been released so far. As the One Year War between earth and the rebelling colony of Zeon nears its end, the colony of Side Six has continued to maintain its neutrality. Out of the public eye, the neutrality has been endangered by the presence of an experimental mobile suit armor. The Zeon respond by sending in a team to destroy the armor, with a planned nuclear strike if the team fails.
Al is an elementary school student who has been finding solace from his parents' marriage problem in dreams of destruction and war. He befriends a young Zeon rookie named Bernie who used him to get close to the Federation Gundam armor, which happens to be piloted by Chris, a young woman who is Al's neighbor.
The results of the youthful short sightedness of all three characters is predictably tragic, but not as pat, or trite as it sounds. It is a complex mix of personal mistakes and the nature of the machinery of war.
Ironically, the Gundam with the youngest protagonist is the thoroughly brutal in its portrayal of the violence of war. It is devious in its mundanely, its humanizing of characters, and its subsequent shredding of them.
If you are interested in trying with an eye towards its more philosophical side, rather than giant robot combat, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080:War in the Pocket is a good trial or starting point. The two volume series is a terse take on the Gundam view of politics and war with sophistication for an audience older than its lead.
This Week's Anime and Manga Releases:
Anime
- Cardcaptor Sakura - Winter Wonderland (Vol. 9)
- Devil Hunter Yohko Collection 1
- Dragon Ball Z - Imperfect Cell - 17'S End
- Gate Keepers - To The Rescue (Vol. 5)
- My My Mai
- Now And Then, Here And There (Complete Collector's
Boxed Set)
- Now And Then, Here And There - Conflict & Chaos (Vol.
3)
- Saint Tail - Girl Of Justice (Vol. 5)
- Vampire Princess Miyu - Dark Love (Tv Vol. 5)
- Vandread - Great Expectations (Vol. 3)
Manga
- All New Tenchi Muyo Part 1 #1 (Of 7)
- Animerica Extra Vol 5 #6
- Cannon God Exaxxion #7 Stage 1 (7 Of 8)
- Dragonball Part 4 #10 (Of 10)
- Dragonball Z Part 5 #5 (Of 12)
- Futabakun Change Vol 8 #3
- Medabots Part 1 #3
- No Need For Tenchi Vol 12 No Need For Endings Tp
- Record Of Lodoss War Lady Of Pharis #2
- Pulp June 2002 Vol 6 #6
- Super Manga Blast #21
- X 1999 Vol 7 Rhapsody Tp
- Cardcaptor Sakura - Winter Wonderland (Vol. 9)
- Devil Hunter Yohko Collection 1
- Dragon Ball Z - Imperfect Cell - 17'S End
- Gate Keepers - To The Rescue (Vol. 5)
- My My Mai
- Now And Then, Here And There (Complete Collector's Boxed Set)
- Now And Then, Here And There - Conflict & Chaos (Vol. 3)
- Saint Tail - Girl Of Justice (Vol. 5)
- Vampire Princess Miyu - Dark Love (Tv Vol. 5)
- Vandread - Great Expectations (Vol. 3)
Manga
- All New Tenchi Muyo Part 1 #1 (Of 7)
- Animerica Extra Vol 5 #6
- Cannon God Exaxxion #7 Stage 1 (7 Of 8)
- Dragonball Part 4 #10 (Of 10)
- Dragonball Z Part 5 #5 (Of 12)
- Futabakun Change Vol 8 #3
- Medabots Part 1 #3
- No Need For Tenchi Vol 12 No Need For Endings Tp
- Record Of Lodoss War Lady Of Pharis #2
- Pulp June 2002 Vol 6 #6
- Super Manga Blast #21
- X 1999 Vol 7 Rhapsody Tp
Now and Then, Here and There is an anime series about an energetic and optimistic boy who gets transported to a desolate future where he, and other children are press-ganged to an army. It is a surprising somber and brutal series from directory Akitorh Daichi, best known for manic comedies such as Kodocha, Jubei-Chan the Ninja Girl, and Elf Princess Rain.
X 1999 is CLAMP's about a young man who returns to Tokyo, and winds up entangled in am apocalyptic confrontation between two super powered groups which pulls in a number of the group's other works.
Tenchi Muyo News
Accordin AIC's web site Pioneer will be handling the domestic releases of the Tenchi Muto GXP series, and the upcoming third OAV (direct to video release). AIC has also added an English edition of the Tenchi Muyo web site at here.
TOKYOPOP Delays
TOKYOPOP has delayed the release of the first six episode volume of Marmlade boy from July 30th to Novomber 15th.
The latest Release Schedule:
June
August
Sept
Late 2002
Marmalade Boy is a shoujo (girl's) relationship comedy about a girl who parents return home from a vacation, and announce they are swapping spouses with another the complete. The four adults will live together with her, and her new brother her own age.
Brain Powered Opening Info
According to Anime on DVD When Bandai announced that they'd finally be bringing Brain Powered to DVD, one of the concerns was how the opening was going to be presented. When it was originally released on the VHS under the Anime Village branding, the opening credits were completely redone due to the fact that the original opening featured nothing but naked women floating about, something that should be noted as completely unrelated to the story.
Not only is the original animation restored, but the original Japanese credits are in place with no translation on the video, but provided separately, much like other recent shows such as Saber Marionette J to X.
Brain Powered is a giant robot series from Gundam creator Yoshiyuki Tomino.
FUNimation Release Dates
The fourth and fifth volumes of the dramatic bug hunt sci-fi Blue Gender will be released August 6th.
Dragon Ball 24 Fortune Teller Baba: Five Warriors and Dragon Ball 25: Fortune Teller Baba: Yamcha's Fall (Edited / Uncut) will be released on July 9th. Dragon Ball 26: Fortune Teller Baba: Surprise Reunion (Edited / Uncut) and Dragon Ball 27: Fortune Teller Baba: The Seventh Dragon Ball (Edited / Uncut) will be released on August 27th.
Magic Knights Rayearth Set
Right Stuf is offering a set of the first five volumes (the first season) of Magic Knights Rayearth for $74.99. The season one box set retails for $149.95.
Magic Knights Rayearth is CLAMP's take on the school girls get transported to mystic land genre.
Box Set images
Right Stuf has images of Bandai's upcoming Escaflowne box set here. Anime on DVD has an image of the limited edition figure that will ship with the television series set here
Right Stuf has images of the Evangelion Premium box set
here, and the Kare Kano box here.
Cartoon Network Adult Swim Ratings
According to a Cartoon Network press release, Adult Swim Action ratings for adults grew by 300%, while delivery grew by 258% among adults 18-34.
Cartoon Network's Adult Swim Action (Saturday, May 11, 11 p.m. - 2 a.m.) charted triple-digit ratings and delivery increases last week with its target audience of adults 18-34. The network's three-hour line-up of animated action programming and Japanese animé shows, many of which have never before been seen on U.S. television, also more than doubled ratings and delivery of viewers 12-24. Highlights for the late-night franchise vs. the same time period last year follow:
Adults 18-34 ratings (0.4) mushroomed by 300%, while delivery (179,000) expanded by 258%
Persons 12-24 ratings (1.0) grew by 150%, as delivery (366,000) improved by 190%
Tweens 9-14 ratings (1.8) increased by 64%, while delivery (347,000) rose by 76%
Yu Yu Hakusho (11 p.m.) was the top-performing series, scoring a 0.6 adults 18-34 rating and delivering 299,000 viewers. Cowboy Bebop (11:30 p.m.) and Pilot Candidate (12 a.m.) each earned a 0.5 adults 18-34 rating.
For the week, Cartoon Network earned #1 prime time delivery for kids 2-11 (1,152,000) and #2 with kids 6-11 (629,000) among all ad-supported basic cable. In total day delivery, the network ranked #2 in delivery of both kids 2-11 and kids 6-11. Cartoon Network also ranked #9 in total day delivery of adults 18-34, above such cable networks as Comedy Central, VH1, A&E, The Learning Channel, E!, Sci-Fi and TVLand. Launched in September 2001, Adult Swim is Cartoon Network's late-night answer for grown-ups who've never out-grown their passion for animated entertainment, whether as irreverent comedy or cutting-edge action-adventure programming. Adult Swim Action on Saturday nights (11 p.m. - 2 a.m.) showcases such acclaimed adventure series as Yu Yu Hakusho, Cowboy Bebop, Pilot Candidate, Gundam 0083, and Outlaw Star, all designed to satisfy the mature tastes of Cartoon Network's growing adult audiences.
FLCL Release Delay
According to a press release Synch-Point has set the
FLCL to June 2th.
The DVD will feature:
The delay is mostly due to the added time and editing and subtitling needed for the commentary track. This extra is exclusive to the North American release of FLCL.
FLCL is an six episode series about boy his older brother's girl friend, a guitar swinging crazy girl, robots and other oddities.
Nadesico Box Set
Anime on DVD reports ADV will be releasing a box set collection of the battleship sci-fi comedy Nadesico, entitled Nadesico Complete Chronicles on September 24th for $89.98.
Anime Hits Video Sales Charts
From Anime News Service Metropolis dvd is Number 10 on the Videoscan sales chart, the and Transformers Season 1 set is number 14. Thanks to Daniel for the news.
The theatrical anime blockbuster of the year,
Escaflowne: The Movie is currently ranked #4 for
Suncoast.com DVD Best Seller's section. Its schedule
release is on July 23, 2002 - Escaflowne is now
available for preorder.
Evangelion Creator's Wedding
Kodansha has posted coverage of the wedding of Neon Genesis Evangelion's creator/director Hideaki Anno. See here, here, and here
Bandai Announced Pilot Candidate Character Designer to be Guest at AKon 13
Bandai Entertainment the attendance of Shinichi Yamaoka at this year's Akon 13 convention in Dallas, Texas. Yamaoka is best known for his character designs on Cartoon Network's hit anime series, Pilot Candidate (Megami Kouhosei). As an accomplished animator and director, Mr. Yamaoka has also worked on a variety of popular anime series like "Cyberteam Akihabara", "Steam Detectives", and "Love Hina". This is his first convention appearance here in North America.
For more information see www.a-kon.com.
Anime Game News
From Magic Box
Banpresto will release a new PlayStation 2 stealth action adventure game this summer called Lupin the 3rd: Legacy of the Magician King. The game is based on the classic Anime Lupin the 3rd, in which you play the role of Lupin the 3rd, to snatch the legendary treasure "Ladoral". During the quest you have to sneak into the enemy district, you have to avoiding making too much noise to attract the security guards. You can also use different kinds of tools in the game, such as using infrared binoculars to locate traps, or use costumes to disguise as the enemy guards.
See here for screen shots/
Banpresto announced Super Robot Taisen R for GameBoy Advance, the sequel to Super Robot Taisen A, this time the game will feature characters from around 19 anime / OVA series, including Gear Dendoh, True Gettarobo and Neo Gettarobo.
Amoung Bandai list of this summer's Japanese Swan Crystal game releasrs are:
Mobile Suit Gundam Vol. 3 A Baoa Qu - May 25, 4980 yen - the conclusion chapter of the series X Card of Fate - June 27, 4980 yen - card battle adventure game based on X from Clamp. In this game you can play as one of the 14 playable characters, there are over 250 kinds of card available.
Arc the Lad: Machine God Resurrection (SRPG) - July 4, 4980 yen
Inu Yasha (Action Film Adventure) - July 27, 4980 yen - action adventure game based on the No. 1 smash hit anime series Inu Yasha, based on Rumiko Takahashi's story of a girl from the modern era, and a half demon boy from Japan's Era of Warring States.
SD Gundam-G Generation - September, 4980 yen - latest sequel of the popular G-Generation SRPG series
Bandai announced the PlayStation 2 Mobile Suit Gundam series has sold over 2 million units. The first PS2 Gundam title Mobile Suit Gundam has sold over 500,000 units in December 2000, the second game Mobile Suit Gundam 0079: Zeonic Front has sold 280,000 units in September 2001, Federation Vs Zion DX has sold over 900,000 units in December 2001, and the latest game Mobile Suit Gundam: Giren's Ambition has shipped 400,000 units, with 300,000 units already sold. Bandai is planning to release Gundam Online for PC sometimes this year.
Japanese Anime Web Site News
From Anime News Service JVC Music's Mserve has uploaded TV CM streaming OP and ED video clips for the CLAMP anime Chobits here.
Cobra and Midnight Eye Goku creator Buichi Terasawa has an official website-both in Japanese and English-which has a nice flash opening, information on events he's attended, photos with artists such as Go Nagai, and directors such as Luc Besson, summaries and stills from his manga! So check all those goodies out at www.buichi.com. Thanks to Daniel for the news.
Yuki Nobuteru (Escaflowne) has been named as character
designer for the new Space Captain Harlock series, and
the webpage>a? for that upcoming anime is now online, although only
the title page at this point (ie a "coming soon" Flash
movie).
The long awaited encore transmission of the 12 vol.
Black Jack Flash internet anime by cinema.tezuka.jp has
been announced. Since 5/10 the anime has been back
online. A 1000 Yen fee will be charged to view the
series for 30 days.
King Gainer
Gundum universe creator, Tomino Yoshiyuki, has a new
anime series called King Gainer.
ADV has set a July 9th release dat for the fifth volume
of the girls baseball anime series Princess Nine.
"Bases Loaded", the second to last volume of the series
is described as ...
"The Princesses get down to business as they prepare
for a special training camp in the mountains, but
there's more than just baseball going on there. As
athletic as the girls are, there's one muscle their
training hasn't taught them how to control - their
hearts. Now it's those young hearts that are about to
lead them into the wilderness. There are heartaches to
go with the muscle aches as the team breaks training in
the fifth exciting volume of Princess Nine! "
Various degrees of background experience, both in
education and/or work are welcome. We are looking for
team players that are excited about the opportunity to
grow, enthusiatsic towards design, and have a strong
ability to coordinate group projects. This candidate
should have top notch design skills, knowledge of print
production and excellent proficiency in Quark,
Photoshop, Illustrator and other related media
programs. Strong communication skills and the ability
to multi-task are critical! You need to be willing to
relocate to Houston.
See here.
According to a post on Anime on DVD's
forum they are also looking for translators.
Qualified applicants must be fluent in spoken and
written Japanese and English and conversant with
Japanese culture and social customs. Excellent grammar,
attention to detail, and computer skills are required.
Successful applicants must reside in or be willing to
relocate to Houston, TX. Email resume to:
hr@advfilms.com or mail to 5750 Bintliff Suite 217,
Houston, TX 77036, Attn: Translation; or fax
713-341-7199.
According to Anime News
Service Sony will be releasing an OVA adapted
version of Ozawa Satorou's (Blue Submarine No. 6) 6
volume manga Submarine 707 with scheduled February 2003
release.
4Kids Entertainment, Inc. announced that it has
established 4Kids Entertainment Home Video to produce
and market home videos (both VHS and DVDs) in the
United States for various properties represented by
4Kids. 4Kids Entertainment Home Video has appointed
FUNimation Productions, Ltd. the exclusive distributor
in the United States of 4Kids Home Videos for 4Kids
properties Yu-Gi-Oh! T, CubixT - Robots for Everyone,
Cabbage Patch Kids® and Tama and FriendsT. 4Kids
Entertainment Home Video plans to release the first
Yu-Gi-Oh! home videos this fall, followed by the first
CUBIX - Robots for Everyone and Cabbage Patch Kids home
videos in the fourth quarter of 2002 and Tama and
Friends home videos in the second quarter of 2003.
From the press release
Master of the Clow and Angel Layer are new manga
graphic novels with strong international young female
appeal. They were created by the highly popular,
all-female team of artists and writers known as CLAMP
(Satsuki Igarshi, Nanase Ohkawa, Mick Nekoi and Mokona
Apapa) in the Cardcaptor Sakura series, currently the
best-selling girls' manga series in Japan.
On June 4, Angelic Layer hits the streets in North
America. It deals with the adventures of 12-year-old
Misaki Suzuhara, who learns to excel at the sport of
Angel Layer electronic battling dolls.
In July, Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow arrives.
In it, 10-year-old Sakura Kinomoto, who wields the
power of her magical ancient Clow Cards, must confront
an ominous force that is wreaking havoc all over Tokyo.
The book contains a new collectible Sakura card.
According to AnimeNation the
official Japanese Mahoromatic
website has revealed that Mahoro's younger sister
Minawa-chan will debut in the Mahoromatic 2 anime
series.
Figures.com is
following the Tokyo Toky Show 2002 with pictures of
various anime released Merchandise here
More On Gundam Creator Tomino's New Series
Princess Nine Volume 5
ADV Hiring
From ADV's Web
Site, ADV is hiring design team members
More Sub-Aquatic Action From Ao Rokugo Creator
FUNimation to Distribute for 4Kids
TOKYOPOP Releases Two New CLAMP Titles on Authentic
Manga Format
TOKYOPOP announced it is releasing two new authentic
(Japanese-style right-to-left-reading) manga titles
this summer: Cardcaptor Sakura: Master of the Clow and
Angel Layer.
Gainax Announces New Mahoromatic 2 Details
Animage Picks Best of 2001
The new June issue of Japan's Animage Magazine includes
a list of the top 20 anime programs of last year, as
chosen by Animage readers.
Tokyo Toy Show 2002
